Activity Agar & Carrageenan

Activity Agar & Carrageenan
By Mohamad Iswandi Bin Ishak

Question 2 : What are the differences between Kappa, Iota and Lambda carrageenan? Why?

Kappa Carrageenan	Iota Carrageenan	Lambda Carrageenan
Use levels (0.02% - 2.00%)	Use levels (0.20% - 2.00%)	Use levels (0.10% - 1.00%)
- 25% ester sulfate - 34% 3,6-AG	- 32% ester sulfate - 30% 3,6-AG	- 35% ester sulfate - little or no 3,6-AG
Insoluble in organic solvents	Insoluble in organic solvents	Insoluble in organic solvents
Soluble in hot water	Soluble in hot water sodium iota carrageenan is soluble in cold and hot water	- Soluble in 5% salt solution - Partially soluble in cold water - Fully soluble in hot water
The addition of potassium ions - induces the formation of a durable, brittle gel - increases gelling and melting temperatures	The addition of calcium ions - induce the formation of a durable, elastic gel - increase gelling and melting temperatures	The addition of cations has little effect on viscosity
Slightly opaque gel fotmation becomes clear with sugar	Clear gel formation	No gel formation